Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2020

The Board has ordered additional VA examinations for the Veteran's claims of left wrist, right shoulder disability, right arm pain, left arm pain, lumbar spine degenerative disc disease (low back disability), left knee arthritis, and right knee arthritis. These matters are being remanded due to the need for compliance with previous orders.

The Board has determined that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's lower back disability is proximately due to his service-connected right lower extremity disabilities, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development regarding service connection for lumbar spine disability, hypertension, and sleep apnea. The issues of a rating in excess of 70 percent for bilateral hearing loss disability and entitlement to total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability are also being remanded.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, hypertension, and headaches as they are not related to his military service or a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, depressive disorder, lumbar spine disability, right knee disability, and left foot plantar fasciitis, have rendered him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment as of August 1, 2019.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a low back disorder, finding that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for these conditions as defined by VA regulations.

The Veteran's bilateral foot condition and lumbosacral strain are not service-connected, with the exception of a temporary 40% rating for lumbosacral strain prior to March 19, 2020. The Veteran's current claim remains denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete VA examinations, and further development is needed before a decision can be made on the claims.

The Veteran's chronic lumbar myofascial pain with degenerative changes was granted a rating of 40 percent from May 17, 2018 through November 17, 2019 and in excess of 40 percent since November 18, 2019. The Veteran's right knee and left knee conditions were not rated higher.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss, lumbosacral strain, and left knee strain. The claim for hormonal imbalance to include low testosterone with residuals of fatigue and muscle and joint pain due to an undiagnosed illness is also granted.,Service connection was established based on the Veteran's credible reports of in-service injuries and continuous symptoms since service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate reasoning and evidence regarding the left knee disability. The lumbar spine claim is also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for a rating in excess of 20 percent for lumbosacral strain, left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, as well as entitlement to a TDIU prior to April 23, 2019. The Veteran is required to undergo an examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected back disability and radiculopathy.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disorder, finding that the condition is not related to service and does not meet the criteria for direct service connection.

The Veteran requested to withdraw all issues on appeal, and the Board has dismissed the appeal as a result.

The Board has denied a higher rating for the Veteran's back disability and remanded the issue of recurrent furunculosis. The case is being returned to the RO for further action.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for low back and right knee disabilities due to inadequate medical opinions in previous examinations. The Veteran's symptoms are believed to have originated during active duty service, but there is insufficient evidence to support this claim.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability as secondary to his service-connected right knee disability. The claims for diabetes mellitus and arthritis condition are remanded due to inadequate examination reports.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a skin disorder, low back condition, and respiratory condition due to incomplete information in previous examinations. The Veteran is seeking service connection based on exposure to herbicide agents during his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an evaluation of his lumbar spine disability and radiculopathy, as well as his claim for a TDIU. The reasons include the need to obtain additional medical records and conduct further examinations.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding active military service.